Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer
Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-09-22
IELTS Writing Task 1 question
The first table below shows changes in the total population of New York City from 1800 to 2000. The second and third tables show changes in the population of the five districts of the city (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island) over the same period.
Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.
Student answer (Band 5.5)
The first table provides data on the population of New York City from 1800 to 1900 and 2000. The other two tables illustrate the population in Manhattan and all other four districts.
Overall, the population was lower in 1800 but showed a dramatic increase in 2000. Meanwhile, people in Manhattan and other districts told about changes from 1800 to 2000.
In the year 1800 the population overall in New York City was about 79,216. Moreover, in Manhattan there was a massive population of 76% in numbers 60,515. Other four districts had only 24% population .
However, there was a slight increase in residents in New York City in 1900 which was 3,437,202 and other four districts also grew to 24%. But, Manhattan fell to 54% it includes 1,850,096 people.
The population in New York City surged to 8,009,185 and the changes in other districts ( Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten Island) doubled to almost 81% in 2000. Only Manhattan plummeted to 19% of population 1,538,096.
AI examiner evaluation
| Criterion | Band |
|---|---|
| Task Achievement / Task Response | 6.0 |
| Coherence and Cohesion | 5.5 |
| Lexical Resource | 5.5 |
| Grammatical Range and Accuracy | 5.5 |
| Overall | 5.5 |
Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0
The student addresses all parts of the task by reporting the main features of the population changes in New York City and its districts between 1800 and 2000. Key statistics, such as the total population of 79,216 in 1800 and 8,009,185 in 2000, are accurately cited. Comparisons between Manhattan and the other four districts are clearly made, noting how Manhattan's percentage dropped from 76% to 19% while the other districts surged. However, there are slight inaccuracies in reporting specific figures, such as stating 'other four districts also grew to 24%' in 1900 when the percentage was actually 46%, and a minor data confusion in paragraph 4. Overall, the response provides a clear overview and covers the necessary data points adequately.
Coherence and Cohesion — Band 5.5
The response is organized into clear paragraphs, starting with an introduction, followed by an overview, and then body paragraphs detailing the specific years. Cohesive devices such as 'Overall', 'Meanwhile', 'In the year 1800', and 'However' are used to signal transitions. However, logical progression is occasionally disrupted by awkward phrasing, such as 'people in Manhattan and other districts told about changes', which impairs clarity. Paragraphing is present and separates the overview from the body details effectively, but referencing between sentences could be smoother to enhance readability.
Lexical Resource — Band 5.5
The student demonstrates an adequate vocabulary range for the task, successfully using terms such as 'dramatic increase', 'massive', 'surged', and 'plummeted'. However, there are notable lexical awkwardnesses and word-choice errors, such as 'people in Manhattan and other districts told about changes' and 'population of 76% in numbers 60,515'. Less common vocabulary is attempted, but some inaccuracies in collocation and phrasing prevent a higher score.
Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 5.5
The response includes a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, such as 'The first table provides data on...' and 'Although there was a slight increase...'. There are several grammatical errors and awkward structures throughout the text, including missing prepositions and tense or agreement slips like 'other four districts also grew to 24%' (referring to percentages instead of proportions accurately) and 'it includes 1,850,096 people'. While these errors do not completely impede communication, they occur frequently enough to restrict the band score.
See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.
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